Improvement in iron fence-posts



S. H. St. JOHN.

IRON FENCE-POST.

]. T0.188,435.-- Patented MarchlS. 1877.

wlmsggs INVENTOR A ToNEY N.FETERS. PHOTO-UTNOGRAPNER. WASHlNGTON. 0 C.

UNITED STATES :PATEN T ()FFICE.

SPENCER H. ST. JOHN, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN IRON FENCE-POSTS. I

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 188,435, dated March 13, 1877; application filed January 4, 1877. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SPENCER H. ST. JOHN, of Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Iron Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 represents a front view of one of my posts; Fig. 2, a rear sectional view of the same, showing the manner of attaching the wire; and Fig. 3, a cross-section of same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to construct I a wrought or cast iron fence-post in such a manner as to obtain the greatest strength with the least possible weight of metal; and also an improved device for fastening the wires to the post, which is at once simple, effective, and rapidly operated, allowing the wire to be tightened before attaching to the post, thereby obviating the d'rfliculty attend ing the construction of barbed-wire fence with the iron posts new in usenaniely, the barbs catching in the fastenings and preventing even tension of the wire throughout its length.

The invention consists in a fence-post the sides or wings of which are corrugated to insure the greatest strength, and terminating in an angular center extendinglongitudinally, provided with holes or slots, in which the wire is secured by means of a wire or nail inserted between the inner apex of the post and the wire.

A, Figs. 1. and 3, represents the shape in which the post may be rolled, pressed, or cast, as desired, its sides being corrugated and terminating in the angular center B, extending longitudinally, thus securing great strength. In the conical projection B are holes or slots a a, Figs. 1 and 2, in which the fence-wire b is placed,and secured by means of the wire or nail c, inserted between the fence-wire and the inner apex of the post, its lower end resting on the step e. I

The fastener 0 may be a nail, a wire sharpened at its upper extremity and bent outwardly, thus preventing animals from rubbing against the fence, or a single wire extending the whole length of the post, as desired.

In building the fence, the posts are driven and the wire is tightened from the terminal posts before fastening to the intermediate posts, thus avoiding the difficulty experienced by reason of the barbs catching and drawing the posts, as is the case where the wire must be fastened to each post before tightening.

Having thus briefly described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The corrugated fence-post herein described, having the slots and wire-fastening means, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SPENCER H. ST. JOHN. Witnesses:

J. M. S'r. J OHN, F. F. DANA. 

